InterestTime

A LUTHERAN CHURCH EXTENSION FUND PUBLICATION

SET APART

TO SERVE

The Simple Plan to End Our Church Worker Crisis

3 Easy Tips

How to encourage young people toward serving the church

The Church Worker Family What the Shultzes did to cultivate a love for ministry in their home

Pastor, Are You Okay? An effective tool to evaluate church worker wellness

FROM THE CEO

Dear Friend in Christ,

What is the best job in the world? Is it the one that pays the most? Is it the one that makes you famous? Powerful? What if I told you the best job in the world was church work? Would you believe me?

I remember a 2007 study on job satisfaction and general happiness by the University of Chicago. What was the profession at the top of the list? Clergy.

That might shock you. If church work was so satisfying, why is our Synod struggling to find young men to form into pastors? Why is enrollment down at our seminaries and universities in programs to become deaconesses, teachers and directors of Christian education?

Those are great questions. And it’s an issue that our Synod is taking to heart in their long-term focus through "Set Apart to Serve." Because we love our church and want to see it thrive, we are dedicating this issue to this recruitment commitment.

Church work isn’t easy, but there is something gratifying about helping others. Recent studies bear this out: helping others improves our wellbeing. Yet, what separates church workers from other highly satisfying professions is that it carries eternal significance.

In this issue, you'll explore some stories about young men and women who chose careers in church work and the simple, but powerful influences that steered them into such work. And yes, some will even say they have the best job in the world.

Church workers are crucial. And we'll always need more church workers as long as Jesus tarries. As He said in Matthew 9:37–38, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Will you join me in praying to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His field?

Peace, Rev. Bart Day

President and CEO

Lutheran Church Extension Fund

IN THIS ISSUE

The setting sun seen through an archway on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.

For over 40 years, Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) has had the privilege of supporting Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations, schools, organizations and rostered church workers with investments, lending, real estate and ministry solutions.

Interest Time is LCEF’s official publication that informs and educates our readers on how LCEF is supporting the church in fulfilling its mission of sharing the Gospel.

Questions or comments about the content of this magazine? Call 800-843-5233 or email interesttime@lcef.org.

On the Cover: A Christ candle burns inside Kramer Chapel on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.

8 That special person

He was the son of a pastor, but Don Stein wanted nothing to do with ministry. Until a special person changed his mind.

14 At the crossroads of growth

For many years, Cross Lutheran Church in West Port, Wisc., had plans to grow into a thriving congregation. They endured trials and suffering while waiting for the right time: God’s time.

17 A lofty and noble mission

Living Word Lutheran High School in Jackson, Wisc., took a leap of faith — not once, but twice — to continue fulfilling their noble mission of forming Christian students. See how SMART loans allowed this school to go and prosper!

19 Building momentum

As the neighborhood grew around Grace Lutheran in the outskirts of Lafayette, Ind., the church had an incredible opportunity. With the help of LCEF’s Ministry Clarity program, the congregation discovered its calling to serve God in new and exciting ways.

800-843-5233 | lcef.org interesttime.org

SET APART TO SERVE

Encouraging the next generation of church workers is easier than you think.

From left, Rev. Jeremy Schultz, senior pastors at St. John’s in Arnold, Mo.; the late Rev. Martin Schultz; and Rev. Joel Schultz, senior pastor at Beautiful Savior in Olathe, Kan. at the ordination service of Rev. David Schultz at St. Paul in Wood River, Ill. in 2015.

“Being a pastor was never something I would have considered on my own. I was likely my own largest impediment as I did not believe that I was ‘good enough’ to be a pastor. We all know our own deficiencies and shortcomings, and it is easy to think that God cannot use us for big things. It was so helpful for me to hear, along the way from people I loved, that God was using me and would continue to do so.” —Jesse

Like Seminarian Jesse Brubaker, a second-year student at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. (CTSFW), most church workers don’t just happen upon their vocations. They are set apart and encouraged by those around them, Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) members and church workers. Everyone has a part to play.

A 60% decrease in 5 years

“The Lord commands every generation to ‘pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest’ (Matthew 9:38),” said Rev. Dr. James Baneck, LCMS executive director of Pastoral Education. “His desire is that all be saved and have eternal life through His death and resurrection. The church is always in need of workers in the harvest to serve existing congregations and ministries to start new churches and to send national and international missionaries into the world.”

According to Baneck, enrollment in church worker programs at Concordia universities and seminaries has decreased by about 60% in the last five years. “This has once again gotten our attention to heed the Lord’s command to send out laborers into His harvest,” Baneck said.

In fact, a study by the LCMS discovered that enrollment for the Master of Divinity

programs at the seminaries is down 55%; Lutheran school teacher enrollment is down 61%; deaconess enrollment is down 43%; and director of Christian education enrollment is down 56%.

With nearly half of LCMS pastors LCMS pastors 55 years old or older and nearing retirement age, there’s a need to identify the next generation of church workers.

The LCMS response

To engage the conversation and focus on the action of “identifying, catechizing, encouraging, and supporting young boys and girls for church worker vocations,” (2019 LCMS Convention Resolution 6-01) the LCMS has developed a comprehensive, multi-year church worker recruitment initiative called Set Apart to Serve (SAS). The literature explains “since church work is rooted in baptism and a lifetime of hearing the Word, SAS encourages young people to consider church work vocations primarily through their continued and faithful involvement with their congregation.”

In other words, it’s a recognition that God will provide and form pastors and other church workers through His Church, and He will use His people to accomplish this great task. But what does it often look like when God works in this way?

Brubaker

Simple comments open doors

“For me, the suggestions came from my Lutheran gradeschool teachers,” said Andrew Asp, fourth-year seminarian at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (CSL).

“I can remember them suggesting it as early as third or fourth grade. They would make comments on a somewhat regular basis, pointing out character traits which they said would ‘make me a good pastor someday.’ Actually, a lot of times, they would suggest it after I was being reprimanded. I typically only got in trouble for being noisy, with my loud voice!”

Those simple comments from Asp’s teachers began to take root. What happened next is only something that God could orchestrate.

“When I was in high school … I really began to understand the beauty of the Gospel, and the magnitude of Christ's love and grace, in a way that allowed me to understand the importance of pastoral ministry,” Asp said.

“This is when I began looking at seminary more seriously. So, to receive encouragement from my pastor and teachers was incredibly important to make me feel as though pursuing such a career wasn't crazy. It's very possible, that without that encouragement, I would have simply written the idea off as foolish.”

Asp’s experience isn’t isolated.

In the LCMS study, the age of greatest potential influence for one to consider church work was found to be for those of middle school and early high school age, as 60% of high school graduates already have their careers chosen.

Sharing the joy

Thankfully, there are initiatives in place by the Synod to encourage young men and women toward church work.

“In high school, I was introduced to the Christ Academy: High School program at CTSFW,” shared David Woelmer, fourthyear seminarian at CTSFW. “It was there that I was able to visualize what life at the seminary would look like. I found how much I enjoyed the rich Lutheran theology taught by the wellrespected seminary professors, and it was encouraging to share this joy with like-minded young men who were also considering the pastoral office. After attending Christ Academy for three summers, I was not only encouraged by the friends I made there, but also by my home

congregation that supported me and the many members who shared their joy and encouragement with me.”

What they give up

For Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt, assistant vice president of admissions for CTSFW, welcoming new seminarians and deaconesses into church work programs is pure joy.

“I enjoy meeting them and hearing their life stories and how the Lord has prepared them for this work,” said Wietfeldt.

“As a seminary, we take these individuals and shape them as servants for a broken and dying world. One of the joys is simply just being there as they are making this transition. Often they are giving up a lot of different things, whether a former life, closeness to family, potentially well-paying careers, a lot of things in order to come residentially to the seminary. I love being able to be there and still some of their fears and anxieties with those initial first steps, knowing that the Lord will provide, tangibly, for their every need.”

Be honest about church work

At times, fear and doubt can creep into the hearts and minds of those whom God is preparing for service to His church, and the encouragement of faithful Christians can make all the difference.

“Every man, at some point in his education at the seminary, feels completely unworthy, undeserving and unprepared for service in God’s church,” said Woelmer.

“For many young men in high school, these feelings are multiplied, as they might not even understand what they might be ‘getting themselves into.’ Pastors [should share their] joy, excitement and passion for the ministry [as well as] challenges and difficulties. Help them see the reality of the office of the holy ministry: the reality of sin and pain in the congregation, but most especially the reality of God’s abundant forgiveness and comfort He so freely bestows on all of us, as unworthy and undeserving as we are.”

Jesse Brubaker and his family. David and Elizabeth Woelmer.

From left, Marie Sipes with her brothers, Jacob, David and John. The four siblings serve as LCMS church worker.

Why the youth can take the leap

It is hope and joy that drive the Set Apart to Serve initiative and the opportunity for every person in the LCMS to encourage young people toward service in the church. With so many ministry partners and supports in place in the LCMS, we can confidently suggest that the youth of our church take a leap of faith and immerse themselves in the work of sharing the Gospel, teaching the faithful, showing mercy to our neighbors, and administering God’s gifts. After all, it is through LCMS partners like LCEF, who work with churches and church workers in countless ways to help mitigate difficulties, that the joys of ministry are enhanced.

Rev. Dr. Gregory Walton, retired president of the LCMS FloridaGeorgia District, agreed that “where pastors are joyful in their ministry, there is a greater propensity to influence young men and women to consider church work professions. Pastors who are well supported by their parish, who are happy and

healthy, who are energized by the mission and ministry of the church, seem to have the greatest capacity to encourage youth to consider ministry careers.” (Rev. Walton joined LCEF in September 2022 as the vice president of Grace Place Wellness, Ministry Solutions.)

There's no greater joy than the front lines of ministry

The joy that Lutherans have in the Gospel is only multiplied when engaged in full-time church work, even during difficult times. That’s why most church workers want to see others experience this same unique joy of being on the front lines of ministry and being steeped in the Gospel day in and day out.

“I love teaching in Lutheran schools,” said Marie Sipes. “Every morning begins with devotions. Lutheran schools cultivate wonderful work environments with a community that is rooted in Christ. They provide a community to lean on when prayers are needed, to rejoice at the announcement of a new baby and to be a listening ear when kids are rambunctious. While living in a sinful world where morals are always changing can

Discover how you can get involved. Visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

be overwhelming, it is comforting to work in a Lutheran school where the truth is consistent because Scripture is the foundation of our worldview.”

This makes all the difference

Encouraging youth toward church work doesn’t have to be an insurmountable task. Sometimes, rather, it’s just a brief mention, an authentic compliment, or a word of encouragement. Being surrounded by many people offering this encouragement, however, makes all the difference.

“I think the biggest thing is just planting and cultivating seeds,” explained Asp. “For me, and for others too, the journey from the first time I thought ‘maybe I should be a pastor’ to my eventual call and ordination was nearly 20 years. And during that time, there were lots of opportunities for off-ramps, so to speak, where I could have abandoned the idea all together or simply just done something else. It was the encouragement and support of primarily pastors and church workers around me that really allowed me to cultivate my passion for church ministry.”

For more inspiration, listen to this series of interviews on church work vocations and recruitment on KFUO's The Coffee Hour: kfuo.org/tag/set-apart-to-serve.

THAT SPECIAL PERSON

How a gentle nudge convinced Don Stein to become a pastor

Making the jump into a church work career can feel like an unknown—and sometimes it takes a very special and persistent person to encourage someone to consider being a pastor, teacher, deaconess or other church worker.

In the case of newly-ordained pastor Rev. Don Stein, a bit of gentle pushing toward seminary came from many angles. It seemed to start innocently enough.

“When my wife Emily and I married, we began worshiping at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Rockford, Ill.,” recalled Stein. “Our pastor, the nowsainted Rev. Ken Krause, met with us during new member courses. He learned my wife was a teacher and that we both enjoyed working with children. We did not know it yet, but he was going to ask us to help out with Sunday school. He stopped us on the way out of class one day and asked in his deep, friendly, Minnesota accent, ‘Would you two stick around a moment? I want to talk to you about something.’ ”

Stein wanted to say no. His father was an LCMS pastor, so Stein “had seen first-hand the time commitment and toll that ministry can take.” And, like Jonah boarding the ship

Rev. Don Stein with his wife, Emily, and three daughters at his ordination on June 12, 2022.

sailing away from Nineveh, Stein had set out in the opposite direction.

“Even before going to college, I was sure I wanted nothing to do with church work,” he shared. “I mean, I moved to Washington, D.C., after college to work for Congress. You can't get much further from ministry!”

However, Krause’s encouragement—no doubt the work of the Holy Spirit—was no match for Stein’s well-laid plans.

“Before long, the two of us were teaching children's Sunday school classes and attending small group Bible studies with some other couples,” Stein said. “Then Pastor Krause asked me to assist with the youth group, then to help teach confirmation, then fill in for a few adult Bible studies. Before I knew

it, he and our other pastor, Rev. David Roskowic, were meeting with me every Saturday morning and teaching me Greek. After about three years of this, it was just a matter of determining which seminary to attend!”

It didn’t stop there. Church members, too, encouraged Stein to pursue the ministry, including the elders of the church, a DCE and “a very generous member who decided to help support” the Steins through seminary. But it was that first push from his pastor that got the ball rolling.

“I am extremely grateful to God for the encouragement of Pastor Krause,” he said. “Without his prodding and encouragement, I would never have become a pastor. It is that simple.” Rev. Don Stein was installed as pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Rockton, Ill., in July 2022.

Rev. Don Stein was installed at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Rockton, Ill. on July 31, 2022.

"I am extremely grateful to God for the encouragement of Pastor Krause."

REV. DON STEIN

CONNECTING WITH GOD'S SERVANTS

SAGE ADVICE FROM THREE PASTORS ON HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TOWARD MINISTRY

"Sometimes I play it casual and just plant a seed. It’s never a hard sell, I’m just showing to them that ministry can be a really great thing. They see that, and it resonates with them."

Pastors, commissioned workers, and even parents in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) serve as an encouraging example for many young men and women considering church work as a vocation.

In fact, an LCMS study found that more than 87% of church workers cite personal encouragement by their pastor, parents, or other commissioned church workers as the catalyst for their ultimate interest in church work.

Dozens of men have entered pastoral ministry thanks to Rev. David Kind, left, pastor of University Lutheran Chapel at the University of Minnesota. One of those former students is Peter Wagner, right, who is now a fourth-year seminarian at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

Rev. Steve Schulz, campus pastor at North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., has seen 11 people in his 31 years of ministry take his encouragement to heart and enter full-time church work.

“Being present at these ordinations and installations brings tears of joy to my eyes,” said Schulz. “The

Rev. David Kind

Lord works through His people to identify young men as pastors and young women as teachers or deaconesses. You have to be intentional and look for those young people that are asking questions in Sunday school—that’s how we can encourage them. It’s important for both pastors and laypeople to encourage and recruit young people, and it happens by being aware and looking for an opportunity to plant the seed. You just have to say it: ‘Hey, you should consider being a pastor.’ ”

Sometimes it happens without our purposeful intervention, but rather through the faithful carrying out of our own vocations and conducting of the Lutheran Divine Service.

“We have an interesting dynamic at Immanuel in North Fargo,” said Rev. Bernie Worral. “We've had sons and daughters of the congregation grow up in our congregation and in turn choose vocations in full-time church work. And these happened rather spontaneously without any specific time we went up to them and said, 'Have you ever considered full-time church work?' I suppose that would be satisfying to say, ‘Yes, we did that, and boom, there was the result!’ Then we could say it was our expert eye that snagged the catch. But these young men and women learned to love Jesus and appreciate Him through the Gospel we preached, taught and modeled as a congregation. The witness of godly members, and their peers, interested in serving others had as much an impact on their lives, too.”

Likewise, Rev. David Kind, pastor of University Lutheran Chapel, University of Minnesota, has encouraged dozens of men toward the Holy Ministry. “Eighteen have actually gone over the last 21 years,” he shared. “Last year we had eight guys enrolled in seminary. That was probably a record! Oftentimes, [students] come to me and say, ‘I’m studying this but considering church work.’ Those are easy. Other times I have to say to students, ‘Look, I know you’re studying this and you can continue to do that, but have you thought about maybe serving in the church?’ Sometimes I play it casual and just plant a seed. It’s never a hard sell, I’m just showing to them that ministry can be a really great thing. They see that, and it resonates with them.”

Like many other pastors, church workers and parents, encouraging the next generation of church workers comes naturally to Rev. Kind because he simply takes joy in his vocation, even when it’s hard.

“I love what I do,” he added. “If you can show a joy in your work and openness to connect with these young people, and an honest glimpse into what church work can look like and the challenges, it gives them a warmness toward serving in the church.”

"You have to be intentional and look for those young people that are asking questions in Sunday school—that’s how we can encourage them."

Rev. Steve Schulz

"The witness of godly members, and their peers, interested in serving others had as much an impact on their lives, too."

Rev. Bernie Worral

THE FAMILY FULL OF CHURCH WORKERS

Ruth Schultz and her late husband, Martin, raised their children to value church work. Leading by example, Ruth served as a Lutheran school teacher for many years while Martin was a Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod pastor at St. Paul in Wood River, Ill. for 25 years.

In fact, Ruth’s entire extended family is full of church workers.

“As a parent, I feel it was important to encourage my children toward church work [because] reaching people with the Gospel is an important task [and] we need church workers,” said Ruth, who has taught at Trinity Lutheran School in Edwardsville, Ill. for more than 25 years.

“We did not tell our children that they had to go into church work. We set an example through our work. My husband would say, ‘This is the best job in the world, and they pay you for it!’ Serving the church

as a family has been a blessing. I am thankful for my faith-filled family because we have an eternal connection through Christ.”

Schultz’s daughter, Marie (nee Schultz) Sipes, is now a Lutheran teacher as well, and she is married to a seminarian. Her brothers have all entered church work vocations, too. Growing up in her family of church workers was a joy.

“I truly loved growing up in a family where church work was encouraged,” said Sipes, an early childhood educator at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Des Peres, Mo.

The Schultz family celebrates Jacob Schultz graduation from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 2017. Jacob now serves as associate pastor at St. Paul in Grafton, Wisc.

“I was always told that it was awesome being a pastor or a teacher. When the family is made up of church workers, there is a lot of support that goes with that. You have people in your immediate circle that just understand. They know the ups and downs of ministry."

Sipes explained that her parents ensured that the family was constantly engaged in the life of the church, and that the children were “each given lots of responsibilities in the church at young ages,” like helping with Vacaton Bible School or even mowing the church lawn.

“I learned at a young age how to interact with others as a Christian,” she recalled. “I remember listening to my dad as he comforted families beside the casket. I was taught humility by watching my dad deflect away from himself and give glory to God after he delivered a powerful sermon. I attended weddings and learned how to congratulate newlyweds. I also attended visitations and funerals and learned how to give condolences to those who were grieving. I loved growing close with our church community.”

Sipes’ cousin, Jonah Schultz,

had a very similar experience. Previously an English and Theology teacher at The Lutheran High School of Kansas City, he is now a seminarian and vicar at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc.

“I think that every single young man who wants to be faithful to Jesus needs to look hard in the mirror and consider whether Jesus is calling him to [be a pastor]."

Jonah Schultz echoed the family’s priorities and the blessings that have come as a result of being part of a church work family.

“My Grandma Schultz, my dad’s mom, left a great legacy by her encouragement,” shared Jonah Schultz. “She spoke with the assumption that all of her grandsons would go to seminary, and I found that endearing and sweet and knew that it came from a really good place. My grandfather was a pastor, too. I’ve had one of the best lives you can get. Not that we made a ton of money or went on crazy

vacations, but that every single day you’ve got your whole family steeped in the Word of God."

Schultz added that church work is “the best job in the world, I’m convinced, because you get to be there for the biggest moments in people’s lives!”

And with a true need in our church for more pastors and other church workers, Schultz encouraged every young man to consider the blessings of this special vocation.

“I think that every single young man who wants to be faithful to Jesus needs to look hard in the mirror and consider whether Jesus is calling him to [be a pastor],” he said.

“I hope that we can foster a culture in our church of helping every young man discern—it’s not about whether you think you’d like to be a pastor, but rather you should have a good reason not to be one. If you’re worried about going into church work, don’t worry. You’re always taken care of, every single time. It always works out and there are so many stories of God’s provision. The Lord needs pastors and workers, and He’ll make sure it gets done.”

David Schultz’ ordination at St. Paul in Wood River, Ill. in 2015.

The late Rev. Martin Schultz baptizes his nephew, Isaiah, in 2016 at St. Paul in Wood River, Ill. Looking on are Isaiah’s parents, Jacob and Rebecca.

Cross Lutheran finds new home after trials, waiting and suffering AT THE CROSSROADS OF GROWTH

Cross Lutheran Church in West Port, Wisc. knows a thing or two about suffering. And trial. And waiting. The church itself had been a vision in the works for many years.

“The original group of people had been working for a long time to see if they could get a church started on the northwest side of Madison,” explained Rev. Joel Brandt, pastor of Cross. “These conversations happened probably 30 years ago, and people didn’t think it would ever happen. There were so many ups and downs in their journey. For the original 12 people, it was like pushing a boulder uphill the whole time.”

Eventually, the idea for this new church “gained some traction with the South Wisconsin District and [sister congregation] Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie,” Brandt said.

With the support of the district and a local congregation, Cross was able to find an inexpensive clubhouse space to rent until they could—hopefully—purchase their own land someday. And despite these humble beginnings, the church began to grow.

“The clubhouse had absolutely nothing,” recalled Brandt. “If we couldn’t fit it in a car, we didn’t need it. But we outgrew that and needed to add a service. It was tough. There were so many challenges with growing without a permanent residence.”

Still, “God provided for us through this time. We partnered with [Bethlehem] who allowed us to print our bulletins there, use the copier, etc.,” Brandt said.

Extra support from a sister church meant that the new mission of Cross would have far fewer expenses, allowing them to save for their building fund from grants received. When it seemed as though things were moving in the right direction, they would make plans.

Those plans didn’t always work out.

“God put the brakes on the project and slowed us down with roadblocks from time to time,” shared Brandt. “It was agony. But now we know He was giving us time to prepare, and we are thankful now that we were able to do that.”

Cross

meets goal with help of sister congregation and LCEF

Finally, the time was right. Rev. Brandt was called to be the mission planter for Cross in 2015 and called upon the healthy relationship with Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) already in place.

“Diana Raasch guided us along in the process,” Brandt said of the LCEF District Vice President for the LCMS South Wisconsin District. “And we found that LCEF understood churches and limited resources and processes and plans in ways that other local banks ultimately couldn’t understand.”

The growing mission plant chose to partner with LCEF for both their capital campaign and building loan. LCEF Ministry Solutions provided expert guidance on this long-awaited project.

In 2020, the fund drive began for Cross Lutheran. Of course, another big event made itself at home in 2020, right in the middle of all the decision-making at Cross.

From left: Rev. Joel Brandt, Pastor of Cross Lutheran Church; Diana Raasch, LCEF South Wisconsin District Vice President; Gordy Hunter, Cross Congregational President; Mike McGraw, Groth Design Group: Director of Construction Administration; and Rev. Dr. John Wille, LCMS South Wisconsin District President.

“It was a joy to see the excitement of the pastor and people of Cross Lutheran Church as they launched their first service in the new facility."

– Rev. Mark Frith

It was a challenge, but thankfully everyone at Cross was accustomed to just these sorts of trials while other fellow Lutherans were there to support them. For example, the clubhouse shut down when the pandemic started. Bethlehem offered Cross a place to worship on Saturday nights.

As it turned out, this timing proved to be a blessing once again. When the associate pastor at Bethlehem took another call, the church was left with only one pastor. Brandt saw this as an opportunity to give back to Bethlehem.

“This was a rare opportunity for us to help them,” he recalled. “We set up a preaching rotation where the two churches worshiped together. This was around the time when Cross was buying land and closing on the contract. During all this, Bethlehem members even helped pledge money to help Cross out! We were able to meet our pledge goal of $300,000. We actually received $600,000 in pledges!”

Brandt described this experience as a “beautiful picture of churches helping churches.”

From then on, more plans finally seemed to fall into place for Cross. They purchased and broke ground on 1.5 acres of land in March 2021 and dedicated the space in October.

the new facility,” said Rev. Mark Frith, LCEF vice president of Ministry Solutions. “Within a couple of months, people in the community discovered the congregation and Cross’ members noticed a growing number of guests on Sunday morning. To God be the glory for seeing a budding congregation take its place in the midst of this growing community.”

Together, under the cross of Christ

The good news is, through all difficulties, the Body of Christ has been and will continue to be at work. Cross Lutheran Church has never had to do it alone.

“The South Wisconsin District and many churches helped Cross become what it is,” said Raasch. “LCEF has had the pleasure of working with them even before they were Cross Lutheran, and in a time when many churches are thinking of closing, or are anxious of current difficulties, Cross with the help of the Holy Spirit, has overcome much.”

“It was a joy to see the excitement of the pastor and people of Cross Lutheran Church as they launched their first service in

Attendance started growing at Cross Lutheran after it built a brand new church in 2021.

LoftyNoble Mission A and

“High school is often the first time in a student’s life when their parents are no longer the biggest influence in their life,” said David Miskimen, executive director of Living Word Lutheran High School in Jackson, Wisc.

“It’s important who we surround our children with, because they need to have good mentors who will challenge them to grow in faith, intellect, athletics and in the arts.”

It’s ever-so-crucial, then, that Lutheran schools get the support they need to provide a space for students to branch out and continue their Christian formation. This is exactly what Living Word Lutheran High School seeks to do.

How a SMART Loan updated critical systems at Living Word

With a hearty relationship with Lutheran Church Extension Fund

(LCEF) already in place, Living Word turned to their ministry partner for a SMART Loan when it was time to update, upgrade and polish their space to serve their mission of growing their students in the faith.

“We had a mortgage with LCEF from the initial building of the school, and they’ve worked with us all this time as partners in ministry,” said Miskimen. “But when I heard about the SMART Loan from LCEF South Wisconsin District Vice President Diana Raasch, I thought, ‘Why wouldn’t people take advantage of this? It’s an interest-free loan for the first year, and we serve a God of abundance, not of scarcity!”

The school’s boilers were in rough shape, and their air conditioning was out completely, so a project needed to be done.

“We didn’t want to wait nine months because, since this was

work we’d have to do eventually, we might as well just take care of it now,” Miskimen said.

LCEF’s SMART Loans for educational institutions are designed exactly for this purpose—to help meet the short-term financial needs of LCMS elementary, middle and high school associations and related recognized service organizations (RSOs).

The process was easy and painless for Living Word, and they were able to make the necessary repairs right away so that they wouldn’t miss a beat.

“When we reached out to Dan [Brown], I thought it was almost too easy,” explained Miskimen.  “I wasn’t even sure what the interest rates were [for the SMART Loans] because we never intended to come up short. The idea of not achieving didn’t occur to me.”

Second SMART Loan leads to “extreme makeover” of school

After they’d paid off their loan early–just one short year later–another opportunity arose for making Living Word Lutheran look its best. They decided to do an “extreme makeover” of the school, including remodeling the bathrooms and locker rooms, expanding and repaving the parking lot and caring for other “facelift” projects around the campus.

Once again, an LCEF SMART Loan was in order.

“The second time around was a

little more fun,” Miskimen said. “A 20-year-old building meant 20 years of wear and tear, so we thought we’d get another project done in the off season when there is less traffic there on campus.”

Using SMART Loan dollars, the school took care of the necessary work and then made paying for it the focus of their upcoming auction season.

“It was an easy sell!” said Miskimen. And once again, they were able to pay off the loan quite early.

“Living Word Lutheran School

With updates and upgrades around campus, students at Living Word Lutheran High School have the space to learn collaboratively, individually and on stage.

has utilized SMART Loans multiple times and for various reasons,” shared Dan Brown, vice president of national lending at LCEF. “[Miskimen’s] goal was to find a way to do the projects in the most cost-efficient way and retire the debt early to maximize cash flow. It’s a smart use of the SMART Loan!”

“Go and prosper” with an LCEF SMART Loan

For Living Word, taking a leap of faith when embarking on a sizable project looks a bit different than in other places.

“It was important to us to leverage any and all resources to advance the mission of the high school,” Miskimen shared.

Living Word Lutheran High School continues to thrive, and the students and staff have loved and appreciated the added square feet, updates to the building and overall nurture and care of the school’s leadership. And according to Miskimen, the projects won’t be stopping anytime soon.

“We always want to have a project going on here all the time!” he laughed. “We take pride in it. We don’t always have to spend money, but we won’t be content sitting still. We’ll continue to do what Christ calls us to do in the Great Commission, and always move forward.”

BUILDING MOMENTUM

How Grace's vision meets the needs of a growing community

Rev. Daniel Eggold dreams of the day when Grace Lutheran Church, Lafayette, Ind., will reverberate with laughter and prayer all day. He dreams of children singing in chapel at 8 a.m., as part of the new preschool. He dreams of chattering adults discussing Bible study or partnering to care for the young children during the day. He dreams of school-age kids laughing, hollering and bouncing balls in the gym during after-school programs. He dreams of prayers offered in the evening during Christ-centered mental health counseling and worship opportunities.

“I dream of the day that from sun-up to sun-down, the Word of God is proclaimed and lived through the ministry at Grace,” Eggold said.

But Grace’s vision, “Inviting Community in Christ,” faces a challenge: a growing congregation in a tight space. The 433-member church used to host about 85 worshippers on a Sunday. Now, worship services reach closer to 200.

“We just don’t have the fellowship and youth spaces we need to facilitate hospitality and community,” said Warren Reneau, Grace’s building campaign director.

“We currently make people sign up for special fellowship events due to space limitations.”

The modest church property was planted in the outskirts of Lafayette when the population was much smaller. Housing developers built the suburbs right around them. Houses and schools on every side of the property offer parents a community in which they can raise their family. However, a growing community also increases ministry needs.

Church leaders sensed the opportunity to adjust their vision as the community grew around them. So, they reached out to LCEF’s Ministry Clarity program for help. The process revealed the church’s deepest desire to serve their neighbors— young families.

“They need help with childcare, mental health and a way to connect in relationships,” said Eggold. “But with limited church space, how can we love our neighbors well? We need more strategic space.”

Grace’s dream requires a larger, updated building that meets current codes. They worked with LCEF and developed a plan.

“We want to help grow the heart, mind, soul and strength of those at Grace and in our community. We want to love our neighbors as ourselves,” said Eggold.

The construction plan includes keeping their current sanctuary and rebuilding the rest of the church, including knocking down their original fellowship hall that served as their first worship space on the property.

“Ministry drives their building project, not the other way around,” shared Rev. Tom Eggebrecht, Vice President Ministry Solutions at LCEF. “Grace Lutheran wants their building to facilitate ministry, not create or

limit ministry because of the building.”

A big dream requires a big faith building campaign. In May 2022, Grace Lutheran launched the “Impact” phase of their building campaign, Grace Upon Grace (John 1:16). They are highlighting how the new building will help make it possible to serve the church and local community by ministering to the “heart, mind, soul and strength” of people that share the space.

• For the “heart,” Grace foresees ministering to the emotional well-being of the community through counseling and adoption/fostering support. So they need office spaces.

• For the “mind,” the church envisions an early-childhood program, after school services and seminars for the community. This requires a preschool area, classrooms and a gym.

• For the “soul,” Grace desires to invite the community into

About 200 people attend Grace Lutheran’s services each week. With a vision of “Inviting Community in Christ,” the congregation is in the midst of a building campaign to better serve those who live and work in their community.

the life of the church through programming and events. Think fellowship space and an updated kitchen.

• For the “strength,” Grace Lutheran envisions providing health clinics and athletic programming, so they need a full-sized gym.

“Grace Lutheran is really building momentum. They are at a unique moment. They are stirred up to keep the gospel going and have an extraordinary group of leaders. I can’t wait to see what God will do.”

This additional space will provide multiple connecting points for the community to encounter the love of God and the hope of the Gospel. A few million dollars can possibly impact a whole generation of those who live and work in Grace’s community.

Maybe in a few years, Pastor Eggold will start his day listening to three-year-olds singing Bible songs in the sanctuary. Maybe a high schooler will come to know Christ through shooting hoops after school. Maybe someone on the brink of suicide will find hope through gospel-centered counseling. Maybe if this building campaign raises enough funds, Grace Lutheran will live out the vision of “Inviting Community in Christ.”

God has a plan. He will provide.

Rev. Daniel Eggold delivers a Sunday morning children’s message in the sanctuary. Children ministry, from a new preschool to Sunday School to after-school programs, is a goal for Grace Lutheran and their growing congregation.

Grace's original fellowship hall served as their first worship space. With a successful campaign, they will replace this space with a facility that facilitates ministry.

Reaching the community begins with serving the community, and Grace does this by providing children ministries to their neighbors. They plan to build a larger ministry-focused facility upon completion of their capital campaign.

The LCEF Mobile App:

• Is free.

• Downloads to your smartphone or tablet.

• Allows you to move and add funds and pay bills.

ABOUT THE SILVER EAGLES

The Silver Eagles are an honorary group of individuals who achieved exceptional results while serving LCEF and the LCMS. Members must meet one of the following requirements:

• Elected chairmen of the LCEF Board of Directors

• LCEF Chief Executive Officers, upon completion of their service to LCEF

• Art Haake Leadership Award recipients

WHAT IS THE ART HAAKE LEADERSHIP AWARD?

The award honors retired LCEF employees for their service to LCEF and the greater LCMS.

To qualify, an employee must have worked for LCEF for at least five years, made significant contributions, been recognized by peers as a special person, exemplified Christian faith and love in their life, reflected the goals of the LCEF mission statement and represented the dedication, spirit and love that Art Haake, LCEF’s second president, gave to each task.

Today, 18 living Silver Eagles love and pray for LCEF. Learn more at InterestTime.org/SilverEagles

Mahnken and Heemann Join LCEF's Silver Eagles

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) was blessed to induct two new members of the Silver Eagles in 2022. Steve Heemann and Glenn Mahnken joined the honorary club in April during a ceremony in St. Louis. We thank God for these two men and their service

Glenn Mahnken

Mahnken served as LCEF senior vice president of Marketing and Customer Support from 1999 to 2012 following a successful career in corporate marketing. After his tenure with LCEF, he served Concordia Plans as vice president and Chief Marketing Officer. Today, he is the director of Community Relations for Lutheran High School of St. Charles, Mo.

Under Mahnken’s leadership, LCEF assets grew to over $1.8 billion. He successfully managed the integration of two new service offerings, Capital Funding Service and Laborers For Christ, into the LCEF family. Known for his financial acumen, Mahnken was instrumental in developing the annual Ministry and Business Plan, steering the Interest Rate Committee and serving on the Asset-Liability Committee (ALCO).

Steve Heemann

Heemann served LCEF for 20 years as district vice president and director for Finance and Stewardship with the Southeastern District from 1998 to 2018. Since retiring from the Southeastern District staff, he and his wife Gwen, reside in Maryland, where he serves his home congregation. Heemann also serves on the board of directors for Mid-Atlantic Lutherans in Mission.

During Heemann’s tenure, district assets nearly doubled to $150 million and loans receivable more than tripled to $104.5 million. In addition, he introduced Early Childhood Development Centers into the districts and developed an LCEF advocate program of congregational volunteers.

In 2021, both men received the Arthur C. Haake Leadership Award (AHLA), which honors a retired LCEF employee for his or her service to LCEF and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

How JOSEPH HOPE-HULL became a church worker

Joseph Hope-Hull fondly recalls a Sunday morning in 2011 at Christ Lutheran Church Ministries in La Mesa, Calif. He was a teen with his family, who recently started attending the church in suburban San Diego. They were listening to a children’s message, and Hope-Hull was struck by the words Director of Christian Education (DCE) Cheri Selander was sharing.

“She did this wonderful children's message focusing on how scripture is a guide,” Hope-Hull said of the message focused on Psalm 119:105.

“Scripture is a lamp. When

things are dark and tough, God's Word and the direction He gives through scripture is a perfect guide because it comes from a perfect God. That was the first time that my understanding of scripture and the gospel hit my heart pretty hard.”

God’s Word has been a lamp to Hope-Hull’s feet and a light to his path ever since, and now he’s sharing a new light with teens at a new congregation.

A welcoming home

At Christ Lutheran, Hope-Hull soon joined the youth group. He was embraced by the group led

by Selander and Brandon Heath, another DCE at the congregation.

In addition to leading several initiatives for youth, the DCE duo spent time to get to know Hope-Hull. They learned about him, his gifts and abilities. They encouraged him to use his Godgiven talents to serve the church.

This environment allowed Hope-Hull to blossom as a young adult leader, serving the middle school youth group and teaching Sunday School. But there was one moment that caught HopeHull off guard.

He was a junior in high school at the time. Selander pulled him

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

aside and suggested Hope-Hull would make a great DCE. He scoffed at the idea. He didn’t think it was for him.

Little did Hope-Hull know, it was a faint flicker of a lamp taking him down a career path to serve the Lord.

A tough year of waiting

The summer after Hope-Hull graduated from high school, he was making plans to attend a nearby community college.

“I didn't have a plan for what I wanted to do,” said Hope-Hull, an avid San Diego Padres fan. “I knew being a baseball player was off the table. Once that dream got squashed, I didn't really have too much direction. I was a smart kid, but I didn't have any skills that made me say, ‘It's obvious I need to be doing that.’ But it was soon after graduating (high school) that I decided I want to be a DCE.”

Hope-Hull spent his first year of higher education at that community college in the San

Diego area as he anxiously looked forward to attending Concordia University-Nebraska.

“That first year of college was really tough, just waiting,” HopeHull said. “And I think it was really good for me spiritually. It helped me to understand future instances of waiting and what the purpose of it was. But it was a tough year.”

Connecting with teenagers

A few years later, Hope-Hull completed a DCE internship at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glen Burnie, Md. A year later, St. Paul’s extended a call to him to be a full-time DCE. Now, he’s guiding teenagers through the myriad of internal struggles they face, from influences of social media to the day’s headlines. He works with students at St. Paul’s school, teaches confirmation and helps with the middle school and high school youth groups.

“One thing I really love about my job is the opportunity to connect with so many people,

especially our kids,” he said. “We have 100 kids going up to our middle school camp this week in Pennsylvania. I love working with them and getting to know them a lot better during this outdoor education time.

"We have probably 30 kids in each of our middle school and fourth and fifth grade youth groups. And we have a wonderful high school youth group. And I just really love connecting with them every chance I can get.”

As a church worker, HopeHull recently opened a Church Worker StewardAccount® to begin investing with Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF).

“I am a brand new LCF investor,” he said. “I look forward to managing my own finances, managing the gifts God has given me in that way to better prepare for my future, as well as having the peace of mind and the comfort that these gifts are being able to help others, other congregations, other schools, just like my own.”

From left: DCE Joseph Hope-Hull leads middle school and high school youth groups, and participates in a rousing game of six square at St. Paul’s.

How are you feeling, church worker?

The Lutheran Wellness Wheel

You might be amazed to discover that church workers, who are so skilled at caring for everyone else, often have a difficult time answering how they themselves are doing. They want to help others, but often neglect their own needs.

To help ensure that our churches have healthy workers, Grace Place Wellness teaches the Lutheran Wellness Wheel as a simple tool for asking “How am I doing?” Developed with Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod partners like Concordia Plan, The Wellness Wheel is a guide for discerning health and vitality in eight categories: baptismal, spiritual, relational, intellectual, emotional, vocational, physical, and financial.

So how might a church worker (or a church member) use The Wheel to answer the question, “How am I doing?” spiritually, relationally, physically, or vocationally?

Grace Place Wellness has developed some oneword definitions of wellness, assembled some simple guiding questions for reflection and linked the different parts of The Wheel to scripture passages from the 4th chapter of Ephesians to help individuals, couples, families or churches assess their measure of wellbeing.

Here’s a brief sample of what a simple wellness assessment using the Lutheran Wellness Wheel might be like.

BAPTISMAL

Baptismal Wellness in One Word: IDENTITY

Do I find confidence, comfort and security each day in my identity as God’s child no matter what trials and challenges I may face?

Ephesians 4:21-24 “…and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

SPIRITUAL Spiritual Wellness in One Word: RECEPTIVITY

Do I, by my daily and weekly disciplines of scripture reading, prayer, and worship exhibit my receptivity to God’s gifts of grace?

Ephesians 4:13-16 “…until we all attain to the unity in the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…”

RELATIONAL Relational Wellness in One Word: UNITY

Do relationships in my family, my church and my community reflect the Holy Spirit’s gift of unity that is intrinsic to the Body of Christ?

Ephesians 4:2-6 “…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

May God bless us all with vitality and joy in every

INTELLECTUAL Intellectual Wellness in One Word: CURIOSITY

Do I display a healthy curiosity about what I might learn from the wisdom of those whom God has brought into my life?

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

EMOTIONAL Emotional Wellness in One Word: HARMONY

Are my relationships in family, church, and community characterized by the harmony that comes through mutual confession and forgiveness?

PHYSICAL Physical Wellness in One Word: VITALITY

Do my physical health choices regarding nutrition, exercise and rest result in vitality for service to God, family, church and community?

Ephesians 4:17-20 “You must no longer live as the Gentiles do… They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.”

FINANCIAL Financial Wellness in One Word: GENEROSITY

Am I responding appropriately to opportunities that God gives me to show generosity, just as He has been generous to me?

Ephesians 4:26-32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

VOCATIONAL Vocational Wellness in One

Word: HUMILITY

Am I growing in my sense of humility over God’s call for me to serve Him by serving others in my various vocations in life?

Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…”

Would you like to learn more about Grace Place Wellness and the Lutheran Wellness Wheel? Visit graceplacewellness.org.

Ephesians 4:28 … But rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he might have something to share with anyone in need.” aspect

of our lives as we live and serve together!

God's sovereign timeline

HOW CONCORDIA HIGH SCHOOL WANDERED TO THEIR PROMISING LAND AND FUTURE WITH AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

The people of Concordia High School in Pflugerville, Texas, find subtle similarities between their journey and that of the Israelites.

For 40 years, the Israelites wandered the wilderness seeking the Promised Land.

Led by Moses, they ate manna in the desert. Led by Joshua and obeying God’s laws, they defeated Jericho, marking the beginning of their possession of the land and fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.

Concordia wandered the Austin metro area for 20 years. They

were tenants of three different locations and dreamed of their own school. While their plans didn’t follow their timeline, God’s plan was perfect.

‘Just a few more years’

In 2002, Concordia started in St. Paul Lutheran Church, with just a few classrooms and one hallway.

The school was built upon relationships between students and teachers.

From the start, leaders of Concordia expected to be ready

to move into a permanent home within a few years.

“A few more years turned into a few more moves,” said Principal Mike Doering. “We didn't know it at the time, but I think God was really preparing our hearts and minds as a school to focus on what Lutheran education is really good at.”

Challenges for Cardinals

Concordia’s leadership had an ambitious plan: A brand-new school, built from the ground up. They started by looking for land.

At first, roadblocks denied their searches and several properties fell through. “Then, here comes this land, owned by a Jewish man who loves Christian education,” said Mike Linebrink, a member of the board of directors at Concordia. “He gave us a good deal on the land.”

With acreage secured, they needed a few years before they could build. Once again, a few years became a few more. Eventually, leaders had to have difficult conversations.

“We found that if we were willing

"I've worked with many traditional banks, and I was blown away on the relationship with LCEF and the partner that they become for Concordia High School."

to sell that land, we could maybe then receive the capital gain from that and purchase a building that was much further along,” said Brandon Frye, former chairman of the board at Concordia.

Concordia reached out to Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). After an evaluation period, identifying a building to convert and several failed contracts, Concordia sold the land during the pandemic and purchased the building of a company that had gone out of business. Sitting on seven acres, the 70,000-squarefoot building presented great opportunities with its challenges.

LCEF was a “great partner”

“What I love about LCEF is they’re right there to come along side and help you out, to figure this out, negotiate terms,” Linebrink said.

The project illustrated the breadth of LCEF’s services. From managing cash flow and identifying land to purchase to commercial real estate transactions and lending options, LCEF helped Concordia strategically plan and avoid pitfalls.

“A lot of times we have incredible aspirations, which are fantastic,” Frye said. “But sometimes LCEF helped reel us in. They've been a great partner, but they weren't

just a rubber-stamp partner. They kept us in our lane at times when we needed to maybe slow down or plan a little better before we took that next step.”

A partnership leads to a bright new Lutheran school

When teachers and students entered the new campus in February 2022, they found a renewed excitement.

“The building just has a really nice energy to it,” said Caleb, a 2022 senior. “Everything is open and bright.”

Since the doors opened, teachers and school administrators have seen how a new school—their own school—has created a new sense of ownership from the student body.

“Students are proud of the spaces they have, and they hold each other accountable to keep things nice,” Concordia Director of Academics Marianne Rader said.

An entrepreneurial spirit

Meanwhile, half of the building was a blank canvas to customize. Frye’s entrepreneurial spirit was churning with ideas.

Austin is booming with club athletic teams. Frye recognized a growing need for indoor practice space. By renovating half of the building for athletic practices, Concordia had a

Brandon Frye, former chairman of the board at Concordia.

sustainable business to generate income while the school continued to grow.

Today, the Cardinal Athletic Center includes three basketball courts (one can convert to

volleyball), a pole vault runway and space for field throwing events.

The facility generates six figures annually for the school. It’s also a ministry opportunity to witness

to the athletes and their families who practice at the facility.

“We absolutely have an opportunity to sow positive seeds about Concordia, about this ministry,” Frye said. “And we firmly believe in the Word that it will reap a harvest.”

For 20 years, Concordia wandered the Austin region from temporary home to temporary home. Through patience and trusting in God’s plan, they found a beautiful new campus to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

“The Lord has been faithful,” Doering said. “The Lord has provided along the way, and there's a lot to praise and be thankful for.”

The Cardinal Athletic Center provides space for Concordia student-athletes to practice. In addition, it is open to the public, which provides a revenue stream and the opportunity to witness to the community.

Students and teachers moved into the new facility during the 2021–2022 school year.

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• 6th-12th

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Terms and Conditions

The winners of the contest will be notified by Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). Artwork is subject to being displayed at the 2023 synodical convention and/or the LCMS International Center and/or LCEF headquarters.

Shipping of artwork is the responsibility of the participant. LCEF is not responsible for loss or damage during mailing. You also will not receive your art piece back. LCEF reserves the right to keep and distribute artwork as necessary for display.

If the contestant misrepresents any information, LCEF reserves the right to revoke the submission.

LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF’s Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. StewardAccount access features are offered through UMB Bank n.a. StewardAccount products are not available to investors in South Carolina. Rates as of October 2022. Balance restrictions apply. Rates subject to change. Visit lcef.org for details. Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod (NMLS #3444). Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee (MB.0006057). Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Law License (6037619). For more information on LCEF’s lending license go to lcef. org/state-disclosures. Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod. (NMLS#: 3444), 10733 Sunset Office Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63127-1020. 800-843-5233. lcef.org